Bulgaria, Kingdom. An Order of Civil Merit, IV Class Officer, c. 1935

(ОРДЕНЪ ЗА ГРАЖДАНСКА ЗАСЛУГА IV CIII). Instituted in 1891.Type II with Imperial Crown (1908-1944). In silver gilt, a white enamelled pisan cross with green and red enamelled oak leave clusters between each arm, the obverse medallion presents a white enamelled cypher on a red enamelled field, surrounded by the Cyrillic inscription 3А ГРАЖДАНСКА 3АСЛУГА (For Civil Merit), the reverse medallion presents a rampant left facing crowned lion, surrounded by the inscription 2 АВГУСТЪ 1891 (2 August 1891), surmounted by an imperial crown with internal red enamelled cap with green, red, blue and white enamelled details, measures 47.07mm (w) x 74.88mm (h), weighs 33.3 grams (including ribbon), worn on a triangular ribbon with a large rosette, marked on the ring with a star, enamelling flaws on crown’s pendilia, missing enamelling on reverse pendilia, otherwise enamels intact, minor wear, in overall very fine condition.

Footnote: This Order was established by Prince Ferdinand I, and it was conferred at the discretion of the Monarch in recognition of exceptional achievements in Bulgarian civil life and society. The IV Class Officer was awarded to foreign and Bulgarian middle ranking Officials.